The secret of happiness is something to do

— John Burroughs

The secret of happiness is something to do.

— John Burroughs

The smallest deed is better than the greatest intention.

— John Burroughs

The spirit of man can endure only so much and when it is broken only a miracle can mend it.

— John Burroughs

The universe is so inhuman, that is, it goes its way with so little thought of man. He is but an incident, not an end. We must adjust our notions to the discovery that things are not shaped to him, but that he is shaped to them. The air was not made for his lungs, but he has lungs because there is air; the light was not created for his eye, but he has eyes because there is light. All the forces of nature are going their own way; man avails himself of them, or catches a ride as best he can. If he keeps his seat, he prospers; if he misses his hold and falls, he is crushed.

— John Burroughs

To find the universal elements enough to find the air and the water exhilarating to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter... to be thrilled by the stars at night to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring - these are some of the rewards of the simple life.

— John Burroughs

To learn something new, take the path that you took yesterday.

— John Burroughs

To treat your facts with imagination is one thing, to imagine your facts is another.

— John Burroughs

Travel and society polish one, but a rolling stone gathers no moss, and a little moss is a good thing on a man.

— John Burroughs

When a herd of cattle see a strange object, they are not satisfied till each one has sniffed it; and the horse is cured of his fright at the robe, or the meal-bag, or other object, as soon as he can be induced to smell it. There is a great deal of speculation in the eye of an animal, but very little science.

— John Burroughs